Agriculture

Crop Report: Issue 5, June 2, 2014

Weekly Provincial Summary

Seeding progress in Manitoba is estimated at 65% complete. Seeding is 45 to 50% complete in the Southwest Region, 50% complete in the Northwest Region, 85% complete in the Central Region, 75% complete in the Eastern Region and 85 to 90% complete in the Interlake Region.

There continue to be areas where seeding progress is not as advanced due to wet soil conditions. Producers are modifying their initial seeding plans to account for field availability and seeding date.

Southwest Region

Rainfall amounts varied in the Southwest Region with areas north of Highway #1 reporting 10 to 25 mm and areas south of Highway #1 at 25 to 60 mm. Hail was also reported in the Melita area causing some damage to emerged crops.

Good seeding progress was made over this past week with the majority of producers between 40 to 70% seeded. Overall, seeding progress in the Southwest Region is estimated at 45 to 50% complete. Seeding progress by crop type is: spring wheat 60 to 70% complete, field peas 90%, barley and oats 60%, canola 35 to 40%, flax 50%, and soybeans 75 to 80% complete.

However, there are areas in the region still struggling with excessive moisture and are only between 10 to 25% seeded. Areas of concern in regards to excess moisture are areas along and to the north of Highway #45 from Angusville to Oakburn, south of Minnedosa to Forrest and in the area north of Highway #16 from Franklin to Plumas. Areas including Tilston, Pierson, Melita, Reston and Pipestone are wet as well. Many producers are changing seeding plans in these areas. The number of soybean and corn acres will be reduced in the region. Some producers have broadcast seeded their canola.

Crops are emerging rapidly; however, early seeded fields are dealing with compaction issues. Weed growth has advanced with the recent warmer temperatures and frequent showers. Flea beetles feeding on volunteer canola were noted in some areas. Other insect activity is minimal.

Winter wheat and fall rye are generally in good condition with most of crop in the three to four leaf stage. There are some reports of nutrient stress due to wet conditions, particularly in southern areas of the region. Weed control is continuing in most winter wheat and has started in other emerging crops.

Pasture growth was significant this past week and over 80% of the cattle in the region have been moved to pasture. Continued rainfall is resulting in saturation in many areas of the region. Hay crops are progressing with the continued heat but first cut will be later than normal. Hay fields with good fertility are showing the best growth.

Northwest Region

Rainfall in most parts of the Northwest Region interfered to varying degrees with seeding progress. Rainfall amounts ranged from negligible in the Roblin area to over 100 mm last Thursday in parts of the Swan Valley.

Overall, approximately 50% of the intended crop in the Northwest Region is seeded. On average, approximately 50% of the wheat crop is in the ground, 20% of the canola, 40% of the soybeans, and 70% of the corn crop is planted. Most of the corn acres are located in the Roblin and Dauphin areas. Most seeding progress was made in the Ste Rose, Roblin and Swan Valley areas. There was very little seeding activity at The Pas and in areas north and west of Dauphin. Rain showers and thunderstorms mid-week and on the weekend brought seeding activity to a standstill in most parts.

A small percentage of the seeded crop has begun to emerge with the exception of the Roblin area where over 80% of the cereal crop has emerged and 10% of the canola and soybean acres have emerged. Perennial and annual weed growth, as well as volunteer crop growth, has increased.

Warm temperatures during the week resulted in excellent growth of many forages and pastures. Alfalfa grew 150 to 200 mm. Cattle continue to be moved to pastures with some continued supplemental feeding for those that have remained on sacrifice pasture or at wintering sites. Pastures and hayfields are waterlogged with the continuing showers. Dugouts are at capacity.

Central Region

Rainfall amounts in the Central Region continue to be extremely variable. Most of the region received amounts ranging from 5 to 15 mm, with some areas receiving upwards of 20 mm.

Ideal temperatures and wind allowed many producers to complete their seeding operations in much of the region. Even areas that received 50 mm and more in thunderstorms last week are able to resume fieldwork and seeding. Overall seeding progress in the Central Region is estimated at 85% complete. Soybeans and edible beans continue to go in, along with the last of the cereals, canola and sunflowers. Good weather conditions this week will allow for most crops to be completed in most areas of the region. The exception is the northwest part of the region as wet conditions continue to hamper seeding progress. Areas south of Highway #16 are 75% complete, while areas north are in the range of 15% complete. Some canola has been broadcast seeded. Producers are doing their best to seed around wet areas to get the crop in.

All crops are experiencing rapid germination, emergence and growth. Cereal crop development ranges from emerging to as advanced as four leaf stage. Emergence is generally uniform and stands look good. Canola growth ranges from emerging to three leaf stage; majority of acres are in the cotyledon to one leaf stage. Soybeans are germinating to ground crack and early emergence. Emergence is occurring within a week with warm soil temperatures.

Winter wheat continues to be written off due to winterkill and reseeding to other crop types continues. However, some producers are reconsidering reseeding, particularly in areas where seeding is not as advanced. The recent temperatures have allowed for rapid growth for the winter wheat that remains. Herbicide applications continue and many fields will see both grass and broadleaf products applied.

Wild oats and volunteer cereals are emerging, as are winter annuals and wild buckwheat. Early spraying of volunteer cereals and wild oats continues in canola; broadleaf control will take place as more weeds germinate. Patch treatment of wild oats is being done in spring wheat fields; again, broadleaf weed emergence is slower. Little insect activity is being reported, although some of the earliest seeded canola fields are seeing enough flea beetle activity to warrant treatment. Many canola fields are growing rapidly with minimal feeding injury noted. More diamondback moths are being found in traps, but overall numbers are still low.

Warm weather over the past week promoted rapid hay and pasture growth. The condition of hay land is rated as 90 to 100% good, with some in fair shape due to excessive moisture. Pasture conditions vary, ranging from fair to good.Overall moisture conditions in hay and pasture land are adequate, with the exception of areas northwest of Highway #16 that remain wet. The majority of cattle are moved to pasture; spring growth is now sufficient to discontinue supplemental feeding.

Eastern Region

In the Eastern Region, rainfall accumulations ranging from 5 to 12 mm in southern areas, and trace to no precipitation in most central and northern areas.

Seeding progress in the Eastern Region is 75% complete, with areas within the region varying from 20% complete in some southern districts to 85% complete in central and northern districts. Seeding progress across the region by crop type is: spring wheat 85% complete, barley 90%, oats 70%, canola 85%, flax 80%, soybeans 90%, sunflowers 80% and grain corn is complete. Rapid progress with seeding was possible last week although, depending on previous rainfall levels, producers had to select fields carefully. Pre-seeding fieldwork like harrowing to dry out the soil surface was common. Producers have altered planned crop rotations because of seeding delays.

With rapid crop emergence, both pre- and post-emergent herbicide applications in canola, corn and some cereal crops occurred. Of the crop seeded, about 50% of cereals have emerged along with 35% of planted corn acres. Canola seeded three or more weeks ago is now in the seedling stage and some acres have been sprayed for flea beetle control. Overall about 15% of canola acres are in the emerging to seedling stage. Soybean and sunflower emergence has also been noted. Producers are carefully assessing soybean acres if rolling did not occur immediately after seeding; some will have to delay rolling until the first trifoliate leaf stage.

Winter wheat growth is rapid with the crop at the tillering growth stage. Winter wheat is being sprayed with herbicides primarily for broadleaf control, although some wild oat control is also being applied. Winter wheat is rated as 90% good.

Growth on pasture and hay fields has picked up considerably with the warm and sunny weather. Majority of cattle in the region are out on pasture with some receiving supplemental feed. Moisture conditions of hay and pastureland is adequate throughout the region with standing water present in some fields and pastures.

Interlake Region

Isolated rain was experienced throughout parts of the Interlake Region. Majority of the region reported 2 to 9 mm of rainfall, with the Moosehorn area receiving 18 mm on Tuesday and another 10 mm throughout Thursday and Friday. Warm temperatures helped improve soil moisture conditions allowing producers to seed fields which were too wet before.

Seeding progress throughout the Interlake Region is 85 to 90% complete. Producers in the Balmoral and Moosehorn area are not as advanced due to heavy rainfall amounts over the last couple of weeks.

Cereals and oilseeds started to emerge across the region. Soybeans and corn started to emerge in the South Interlake. In the North Interlake due to the cooler soil conditions, soybeans and corn were planted at later dates.

Spraying for weeds in crops such as winter wheat and perennial forages has begun in the South Interlake, while North Interlake will probably start weed control operations sometime this week.

With the warm weather and the plentiful soil moisture conditions, pasture and hay conditions have improved allowing more animals to be released onto pasture. Dugout conditions good.